MEDIA
STEVE REGULARLY CONTRIBUTES TO THE MEDIA, IN INTERVIEWS AND OPINION PIECES.
BELOW ARE SOME RECENT HIGHLIGHTS.
Requests for interviews should be directed to SR@steverigby.com.
Insider Media: How SMEs can win with AI
October 2025: Talking at Birmingham Tech Week, Steve emphasised the opportunities AI presents smaller businesses. He described how SMEs have the agility to pivot fast, allowing them to out-pace larger businesses with AI adoption.
The Sunday Times: How to solve the school absence crisis
September 2025: Steve writes in The Sunday Times about the deeper issues driving school absenteeism across the UK. Drawing on a CSJ report commissioned by The Rigby Foundation, he highlights practical recommendations to reduce distractions for pupils and reinforce the valuable benefits of regular attendance.
Steve Rigby Contributes to Global Growth Report 2025
September 2025: Steve contributes to The Global Growth Report 2025, commissioned by WMCA. His case study looks at the US tariffs which could cost the West Midlands £6.2 billion. He outlines how he led a taskforce to assess risks and shape policy, which helped secure a deal reducing tariffs and protecting the region’s economy.
Sky News: Steve Rigby comments on UK’s Industrial Strategy
June 2025: Steve shares his response to the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and what it will mean for economic growth.
Over 100 Unemployed Young People in the West Midlands Upskilled Through Rigby Foundation Partnership
June 2025: More than 100 young unemployed people from the West Midlands have completed a Skills Bootcamp programme to help them into work, including tech careers, thanks to a pioneering partnership between The Rigby Foundation and skills charity Generation UK.
The Times: Entrepreneurs are founders that can succeed against the odds
May 2025: In the Sunday Times, Steve explores what makes an entrepreneur, not just starting a business, but growing it and achieving lasting success. He offers insights into how the UK can better foster and support entrepreneurial talent.
BBC Midlands: Steve comments on the UK-US Trade Deal
May 2025: Steve responds to the newly announced UK–US trade deal, which will cut tariffs on the automotive sector, a move he has strongly advocated for. His reaction follows the publication of a detailed report he prepared for West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, warning of the damaging consequences of US automotive tariffs on the region.
The West Midlands is central to the UK’s negotiation on tariffs, Mayor’s report finds
May 2025: Steve releases the findings of the report he prepared - ‘Implications of New US Trade Tariffs for the West Midlands Economy’ - which was commissioned by Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, to explore how the proposed US tariffs will affect the region.
Midlands Today: Impact of US tariffs on the region
May 2025: Steve on Midlands Today calling for UK negotiations to focus on reducing US tariffs on the automotive industry. This follows a report prepared by Steve for the Mayor of the West Midlands, which outlines the potential economic impact of these tariffs on the region.
The Times: Why business should step up to fill gaps in our education system
April 2025: Steve writes in The Times about his recent visit to a Birmingham school, highlighting the vital role businesses must play in helping young people develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce, creating value and driving economic growth.
Sunday Times: We can’t just shut up shop.’ Birmingham braces for tax D-day
March 2025: Steve comments in the Sunday Times, discussing the impact on Birmingham businesses and retailers of the Government’s recent tax changes, including increases to employers’ national insurance contributions (NICs).
The Rigby Foundation Pledges £3 Million to Support Young People in Birmingham
February 2025: The Rigby Foundation, chaired by Steve Rigby, launches its ground-breaking social mobility project, Inspiring Futures. The charity is pledging £3 million to help raise the aspirations of disadvantaged young people in Birmingham, pairing charities with schools across the city.
Business Insider: Steve Rigby Profile
February 2025: Steve’s interview with Business Insider, where he discusses his experience as one of the leaders of an incredibly successful family business, and what it means to drive growth and innovation in Europe’s largest private tech firm.
Steve Rigby Supports Rising Stars competition to find UK’s most promising tech start-ups
January 2025: Announcing the 2025 Rising Stars competition, supported by a £3 million investment fund, which will identify and accelerate the UK’s most innovative tech start-ups. Steve will be one of the judges offering mentorship to up-and-coming tech entrepreneurs
Steve Rigby contributes to BCC Economic Review 2024
November 2024: In the 2024 Birmingham Economic Review, Steve emphasizes the city’s role as a dynamic hub for economic and social progress and underscores the importance of partnerships between the private and public sectors to sustain growth and build a globally competitive economy.
The Times: How to make ‘levelling up’ work for business
September 2024: Steve writes in The Times outlining how the Government can implement a successful regional economic strategy, allowing entrepreneurs across the UK to build up their organisations for sustained growth.
BBC Midlands Today: Steve Rigby calls on business leaders to get young people into work
July 2024: Steve Rigby is interviewed by the BBC about The Rigby Foundation’s £600,000 investment to get young unemployed people in the West Midlands into tech careers and calls on business leaders to create opportunities to address unemployment in the region.
ITV News: The Rigby Foundation funds training to get young people into work
July 2024: Steve discusses The Rigby Foundation’s announcement that it will be funding charity Gen UK, investing £600,000 in initiatives to support at least 300 young people across the West Midlands into technically skilled and well-paid jobs over the next three years.
Business Desk: Tech firm invests to boost youth careers in the West Midlands
July 2024: The Rigby Foundation’s announces its £600,000 investment to address rising youth unemployment in the West Midlands.
Video: Steve Rigby announces £600k of funding from The Rigby Foundation to help young people establish careers
July 2024: Steve announces The Rigby Foundation’s commitment to invest £600,000 to support unemployed young people in the West Midlands into technically skilled and well-paid jobs.